And here is the next chapter.

Special thanks to jmcfall for being a loyal reader, to Comrade for leaving me such an emotional review, and to Rose Melissa Ivashkov for all fourteen of her reviews and all the great things she said about the story and my writing. You give me the motivation to carry on!

This chapter isn't beta'ed, so all mistakes are my own.

The usual disclaimer applies: I do not own VA, just the story line.

Chapter 15

DPOV

As we walked briskly into Rose's company building, I started wondering if she was as unaffected by our brief touch as she seemed to be. Although the handshake has been firm and almost painful, I had felt the all too-familiar tingling sensation running through my body. It almost felt like static electricity shock but to me it was pleasurable and welcome; it meant we still had the same connection we did thirteen years ago. Didn't Rose feel it or was she really that mad that her anger overcame every other sensation?

As we got in the lift and she pressed the top-floor button, she took her sunglasses off and turned around to face me. It was the first time I had the chance to see her whole face and her eyes. She looked more mature but that just added to her appeal. My eyes roamed her body and I realised she looked even slimmer than she was when we were together. She also had dark circles under her eyes and I could see just how stressed out and exhausted she was.

I saw her look at me, really look at me for the first time since I ambushed her outside and her expression changed to relief, like she almost couldn't believe I was standing there unharmed in front of her. And then she suddenly remembered she was angry with me and her whole body tensed.

"I don't know if I want to hug you or slap you, or both" her voice was so low, I don't think she actually meant for me to hear it. Then she spoke a bit louder "So what exactly are you doing here D..., Mr Freeman?"

Her manicured finger lightly touched her lips and I couldn't help the desire that shot through my body. I wanted to kiss her and tell her the truth but I heeded her warning.

"Mrs Ivashkov," there's that name again that made me feel like I've been slapped, "I have been trying to convince your secretary for a few months to let me talk to you. When I finally managed to sneak past her, you refused to work with me and my company. I am not willing to accept no for an answer and I thought that I might be able to convince you to work with me if I made a personal appearance. As I said, someone is leaking out information and I really don't know how to deal with that. You are the best in your field of work and I am not willing to let anyone else handle the matter."

"As I have already told you, I have too much work. My employees can't handle another case right now and to be honest your company is based half way across the world. Someone will have to travel all the way there and stay until this is all solved and I don't know how long it will take. And there is the fact I don't know anything about your local legislation..." She trailed off, implying that she wanted me to drop it and leave. I hadn't come all the way here to be kicked out. Dangerous or not, we were going to talk and I was going to convince her she had to be the one to travel half way across the world and stay with me for a while.

The lift stopped and she got out before me with a loud sign. "Sydney, this is the very persistent Mr Freeman." She nodded in my direction and I looked to see if her PA was as scary in person as I would have expected. I was surprised to see a blonde woman around Rose's age behind the desk. She gave a polite nod in my direction but didn't say anything to me. "Cancel all my appointments, and call Mr Castile. I want him to join us in an hour and I need his opinion on what is legal and what not in Canada. I also want him to draft an initial contract with Mr Freeman's company the terms of which we can discuss later. Mr Freeman and I will be in the meeting room." Rose quickly made her way to the door on the left.

"Take a seat, Mr Freeman. Let's get the formalities out of the way first – I'd much rather you call me Rose than Mrs Ivashkov and I was wondering if you'd mind if I called you Ewan?"

"Of course not, Rose" I grinned at her and I saw her draw a breath in. "I am glad you are even considering taking on the work. I have to tell you I have one condition, however – you have to be the one to deal with my company."

An exasperated sigh left her lips. "Ewan, do you even realise what you are asking of me? I have a company to run and a son to take care of..." She trailed off and I noticed she didn't mention her husband. "I am not sure I can meet that condition. I can come for a week at the most to initially set up things but I might have to send someone else after that." Her eyes were hard and I realised that was the best offer I would get.

"I agree" I looked at her and saw a flicker of amusement appear in her eyes. "I can tell you are not willing to compromise on this one."

She grinned a full smile and pressed a button. "Sydney, can we have some coffee and a few bottles of water. Please call and check if Mr Castile is ready to join us. Also, call Hilton and see if we can have a conference room and make dinner reservations for two. Call Danielle and tell her I need her to pick Eric up and babysit for me tonight."

"Yes, Mrs Ivashkov. Do you want me to call Mr Ivashkov as well, you have plans tonight at 7 with him?"

"No, Sydney. I'll call Mr Ivashkov. I'll be going out for lunch and won't be coming back to the office after that. That would be all for now."

Rose stepped out of the meeting room for a few minutes and by upset look on her face the conversation with her husband hadn't gone very well.

Five minutes later Eddie Castile entered the meeting room followed by Sydney and the requested drinks. There was a look of disapproval written all over his face and it looked like he was prepared to argue with Rose but seeing she had already made her mind up, there wasn't much he could do.

We discussed the contract and the terms and just as we were finishing up, we could here some raised voices outside than a crash and a man flew in through the door.

Rose immediately shot out of her chair and I did the same making my way protectively in front of her by the force of habit. The man was few inches shorter than me with broad shoulders but quite slim build. His brown hair was messy and his emerald green eyes were trained on me as realisation hit and recognition lit them up.

Sydney followed in right behind him. "I am sorry Mrs Ivashkov, I tried to explain you were in a meeting but your husband wouldn't hear it..."

"It's OK, Sydney. Eddie, we are pretty much finished here. Why don't you keep Mr Freeman company while I speak to Adrian." Rose made her way around me and although every fibre of my being screamed to stop her, I knew I had to keep out of this one. It didn't stop the jealousy that stabbed my heart or the desire to lunge at him for marrying my woman and treating her like shit.

Adrian Ivashkov's eyes never left my face as he spoke through gritted teeth "I think it's best if we stayed here and Mr Castile left. I believe Mr Freeman should stay. After all, that conversation concerns him too."